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Baxab & Microcemento User’s GUide
KNOW YOUR TOPCRET COATING
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Topcret is the leading company in the production and application
of stylish cement-based micro-coverings for floors, walls and
furniture.
Our two latest products, Microcemento and Baxab, offer the best
solution to the creation of seamless surfaces and can be applied
without restriction to any material.
KNOW YOUR COATING
Baxab & Microcemento User’s GuideKnow your coating p. 2 —
3
3 Know your coating.
6 understand your coating.
8 installation of your coating.
10 care of your coating.
11 Frequently asked Questions (FaQ’s)
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with a thickness of only 2mm, Microcemento
is a smooth, cement-like covering that creates
exquisite continuous surfaces without the
need for joints or grooves.
Microcemento can be used on vertical sur-
faces (walls & ceilings). it can be applied over
various materials such as cement, concrete,
metal, wood and ceramic or stone tiles.
Microcemento, a practical, versatile and stylish coating. Baxab,
the toughest continuous floor
Microcemento features
-only 2mm thick
-Manually applied to create a unique finish
-Seamless
-non toxic
-waterproof
-works on walls, ceilings, staircases…
-Stylish, contemporary look
-commercial and domestic applications
-open to foot traffic 24 hours after installation
-over 30 different colours to choose from.
Baxab features
-only 3mm thick
-Manually applied for a unique finish
-Seamless
-non toxic
-Scratch-resistant
-waterproof.
-works on floors, staircases, furniture…
-Stylish, contemporary look.
-commercial and domestic applications.
-open to foot traffic 24 hours after installation.
-over 30 different colours to choose from.
Scratch resistanceBaxab guarantees a value of 120n/mm2,
meaning that it is more resistant than any
wooden floor (including parquet), resin, micro-
cement, self-levelling compound or even po-
lished concrete. in exceptional circumstances,
any floor is at risk of damage.
Impact resistancewith a value of >14,7 nm, Baxab has the
ability to absorb the impact of sharp objects
resulting in a minimal loss of shape. this pre-
serves the colour without splintering, unlike
with marble, porcelain or ceramic tiles, where
such impact would chip the material, causing
a loss of colour or even breaking the surface.
Baxab is a completely new and unique coating
technology. there is nothing quite like it in the
market. it is an innovative product developed
exclusively by topcret, the result of over 13
years of expertise in covering technologies.
Unlike any other micro-covering in the market,
Baxab’s high resistance allows for long-term and
intensive use not only in residential, but also in
commercial, public areas and other places with high
foot traffic.
currently, there is no floor that is damage-
proof. However, Baxab is the toughest, con-
tinuous floor available in the market. when we
describe Baxab’s strengths, we are referring
to two specific features: scratch resistance
and impact resistance.
It is especially suitable for reburbishment works since
it allows for the renovation of existing surfaces without
additional work.
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p. 6— 7
Hand applicationall our coatings are applied in a
traditional
manner by our own experienced installers,
using nothing more than a trowel and
their own hands. they are installed one
layer at a time, each with its own purpose,
providing elasticity, strength, colour and
resistance.
Since using heavy or large machinery is
not required, our products are suitable for
any type of construction work, including
occupied spaces.
as mentioned earlier, our coatings are
manually applied, making all our finished
surfaces different and unique. also, due
to the characteristics of our products and
their manual application the result does
not produce a uniform finish.
Marks and spots in Baxab Blanco.
Detail of the hand-made corners.
Textured detail in Microcemento Rojo.
Trowel marking in Microcemento Azul Profundo.
Watermark in Baxab Trigo.
Baxab and Microcemento are manually applied coatings, products
of our expert craftsmen, carried out with care. Once completed,
your coating will be unique. Every single trowel movement, every
little mark or spot will make it individual. There will not be
another like yours.
Because of its pigmentation and the way
it is applied, there is a chance that some
naturally-produced markings appear.
Trowel markings: these are probably the main aesthetic
feature of our surfaces. they are achieved
with the trowel during the application of
the colour layer. they are more prominent
in Microcemento than in Baxab.
we offer two styles of trowel movement
depending on your preferences (from
regular to minimal with Baxab and from
maximum to regular with Microcemento),
but there are always some markings on
our surfaces.
it is also very important to understand
that it is not possible to choose the shape,
tone or location of these markings.
Sheen: Due to the wax content in both Baxab and
Microcemento, there is always a certain
level of sheen in our finishes, even in the
matt option if looked at closely.
Marks and spots: they might appear here and there during
the installation. Do not worry, they are
part of our product’s pigmentation. think
of them as something exclusive to your
floor or wall. they are natural and cannot
be avoided.
Unevenness on the floor: During the application, we follow the
le-
vels of the surfaces we are coating. these
should be prepared prior to our insta-
llation so they are as smooth and flat as
possible. Due to the minimal thickness of
our products, this cannot correct already
uneven surfaces.
Micro bubbles: while very rare, these tiny little bubbles
might be caused by ambient moisture and
could appear at certain areas of the floor.
these are not directly related to topcret’s
materials, but if spotted during installa-
tion can be corrected.
Cracks: Baxab’s and Microcemento’s thinness and
high adhesion strength prevent cracking
under most circumstances. cracks occur
only if the base undergoes some settle-
ment motion or significant dilatation. that
is why before every project, our installers
inspect the surfaces to be coated. if they
see any cracks, they will work on them to
prevent them from opening up. However,
we cannot anticipate future cracks in
sub-bases, and, if they appear, there is a
chance that they may affect our product.
Imperfection? No, a unique characteristic!
Baxab & Microcemento User’s GuideunDErStanD your coating
Baxab & Microcemento User’s GuideunDErStanD your coating p. 6 —
7 Baxab & Microcemento User’s GuideunDErStanD your coating p. 6
— 7
KEND DIT PRODUKT
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Baxab & Microcemento User’s GuideinStallation oF your
coating
whilst our product is very resistant and
quite flexible, certain conditions have to
be met for each type of substrate to ensu-
re it is suitable for our products.
we have data sheets with indications and/
or suggestions for the preparation of most
substrates, which would be enough for any
builder.
p. 8— 9
INSTALLATION OF YOUR COATINGThe most important part of your
project with Topcret is about to start. In order to achieve an
optimal result, these matters should be taken into account.
Setting up the working areathe first thing our installers will
do upon arriving
at the site will be to set up a working area. this
area will be used to store materials and prepare
the mixes. it should therefore be situated as close
as possible to the surfaces to be coated, but never
placed directly on them. Please expect to provide
some suitable space.
Site inspectionBefore commencement of the work, our
installers
will carry out a site inspection to check all surfa-
ces (but not their stability) and ensure they fulfil
the conditions required for the installation of our
product. they will also take note of anything that
might somehow affect the installation process.
Site protection the next step is to protect the surfaces
adjacent
to the ones to be worked on. Plastic sheets will
be used to cover units and a special masking tape
applied to skirting boards or plinths.
we recommend painting and/or fitting skirting
boards after the installation.
1
2
3
4
5
6
INSTALLATION PROCESS: STEP bY STEPInstallation the time needed
for installation depends mostly
on the number of square metres to be coated. one
easy way to calculate how long a job would take is
to consider 10m2/day per installer. However, there
are certain conditions that might change this, such
as ambient temperature, house insulation, condi-
tion of the surfaces, draughts, etc ...
Please be aware that even if our installers are very careful
and work cleanly, the installation will produce dust and
some
odour during some of the stages. Also, bear in mind that
every coat has an effect on the finish, so the final look of
your
surface will not appear until the last coat has been
applied.
Protection removal once the last coat is completed, our
installers will
remove all the protective coverings from the site
and examine the finished areas. Before leaving the
site, they will clean up and confirm the measure-
ments of the areas they have coated.
Customer approval. after the installation has been completed, we
will
kindly ask you to inspect the premises with one
of our operatives so that we can ensure complete
satisfaction. once this is done, please make sure to
sign and retain a copy of your job completion form.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with our
Commercial Department or with our Project
Coordinator if you need advice.
p. 8 — 9 inStallation ProccESS
Preparation of the areas to coat
Baxab & Microcemento User’s Guide
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in addition to rapid installation, one of the
greatest advantages of our products is that
the coated surface can be open for foot traffic
24 hours after the work has been completed.
However, in order to avoid any unnecessary da-
mage, we recommend keeping to the following
drying times:
-24 hours: light foot traffic permitted.
-72 hours: the sealant dries; the surface beco-
mes waterproof.
you can now cover your floor with a breathable
material (we recommend MDF panels), remo-
ving it at night so the floor can keep curing.
-5 days: you can now reposition your furniture
or units with new, clean felt pads in order to
prevent unnecessary damage.
-21 days: the surface completely cures.
it is hard to say since it mostly depends on the
amount of use and maintenance of the surface.
if you take good care of it, it will last for many
years.
no heavy machinery is required for the mainte-
nance of our surfaces.
Baxab only needs simple periodic cleaning,
removing the dirt particles to protect the colour.
you should mop the surface 2/3 times per week
with water and self-shine wax, or once a day if
the floor is exposed to heavy traffic.
walls or vertical surfaces treated with Micro-
cemento require much less maintenance. you
can easily clean them with cleaning sprays for
furniture or neutral soap mixed with water
Baxab & Microcement drying times Which products can I use to
clean it?
How long does a Topcret coating last?
How do I clean it?
Please refer to the guarantee
& insurance Programme leaflet
for further information.
Do not hesitate to ask for it at:
[email protected]
CARE FOR YOUR COATING FREqUENTLY ASKED qUESTIONS (FAqS)You
finally have your new coating installed. Great! But … What’s
next?
How long does it take to dry? What can you do to take care of
it?
Which products can you use to clean it?
Below you will find all you need to ensure that your Topcret
coating lasts for many years.
Regenerating System
to deal with extreme dirt or abrasion, we can
supply a regenerating System Programme that
can be used on your surface. it consists of re-
moving the last layer and replacing it with a new
one, leaving floors or walls as they were before.
Guarantee & Insurance Programme
topcret offers a free 3 year guarantee & insu-
rance Programme with the installation of any
of its products. it covers, for a period of three
years, the repair of any defects emerging as
a result of faulty installation or any problem
inherent in the product. it also offers substantial
discounts for repairs made necessary for other
reasons, including changes of colour.
RECOMMENDED
BAXAB
-Mr Muscle Neutral
PH (liquid soaP)
-self-sHiNe wax.
-alcoHol.
-cilit baNg.
-bleacH.
MICROCEMENTO
-Mr cleaN Neutral PH
(cleaNiNg solutioN).
-self-sHiNe wax (di-
luted witH water).
-ProNto (furNiture
sPray).
-bleacH.
-disHwasHer deter-
geNt.
- alcoHol.
DO NOT USE
BAXAB
-Viakal (liMescale
reMoVer).
-Most cHeMicals
aNd solVeNts (Max.
10’)
MICROCEMENTO
-Viakal (liMescale
reMoVer).
-Most cHeMicals aNd
solVeNts (Max. 10’).
-HydrocHloric acid-
based Products.
-cilit baNg (stroNg
cleaNer).
neath. any wet areas to be coated will therefore
need to be tanked before a topcret installation.
Can it be used outdoors? yes, our products are
perfectly suitable for outdoor use. However, we
need dry weather during the installation with an
additional 72 hours for the sealant to dry. But do
not worry! we have done many patios in the uK. it is
just a matter of planning the right time for the ins-
tallation. this is why we recommend doing outdoor
jobs during the warmer months of the year.
Is it completely anti-scratch? Can I do as ‘the
lady with the knife’ in the advertisement? Baxab,
our flooring product, is very resistant to scratches,
even metallic ones, but a sharp knife would scratch
almost any type of floor. an ad is an ad, and its pur-
pose is to send out a message, sometimes using a
bit of fiction!
What preparations do the surfaces to be coated
require? consider us as painters. although our pro-
duct and its installation is far more complex than
painting, we are a finish, a very thin one. as with a
paint finish we follow the shape and unevenness of
the surface we work on. So, our ideal surface would
be a solid, dry and levelled/smooth one. Screed,
self-levelling compounds, tiles, plasterboards,
cement boards or even wood usually work well
… our commercial department will provide you
with additional advice on the preparation of the
surfaces to coat.
It looks like polished concrete. How is it different
from this product? while it looks quite similar,
polished concrete is considerably thicker and it
also cracks and chips quite easily compared to our
products, which are stronger and will last longer.
How easy is it to touch-up cracks or impact
marks? this depends on the extent of the damage.
the bigger the patch or touch-up, the more it will
show. the repaired area might show a difference in
colour to the rest of the area. if any repairs should
be required, topcret representatives will be happy
to assist.
Do you sell your products without installation?
no, we do not. at topcret we manufacture and
install our own products, but we do not sell the
material alone. our installations require a pro-
found knowledge of the products and great skill!
Do you have a minimum area requirement to
undertake a project? yes; that would be a total
of 20 sq m per job.
I live outside London but I like your product ...
Can you install in any part of the UK?
yes, from our base in london we cover the whole
of the uK. if the job is located outside london,
there will be a charge to cover the travel &
subsistence expenses of our installers for the
duration of the installation.
Does it work well with underfloor heating?
Perfectly. in fact, most of the installations we
carry out in the uK are over underfloor heating
systems topped with screed or self-levelling.
Do you have a showroom I can visit?
yes, we have a showroom in london with a
complete installation of our products on multiple
surfaces and in different colours. we always
recommend visiting us to have a good look at
our products. Find where we are located at www.
topcret.co.uk
Can you send me some samples of your pro-
ducts? yes, we can do that, but again, we defini-
tely recommend visiting our showroom, since the
samples will only show the colour options. they
will not demonstrate the aesthetic features and
quality of our products in an actual installation,
nor the trowel marks of the finish.
Are Topcret products waterproof? yes, our
coatings are waterproof. we can install them
in wet rooms, shower areas, spas, steam and
sauna rooms. we can even coat swimming pools.
However, ‘waterproof’ is not the same as ‘water-
proofing’. our products are impermeable on their
external face only, but not from what is under-
carE oF your coatingp. 10-11 Baxab & Microcemento User’s
Guide
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[email protected]
Topcret®
www.topcret.com
copyright © topcret S.l., 2016
Design & layout /
gorricho / Estudio de Diseño®
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Printed at /
December 2016. Barcelona. Spain.
all the images on this publication are property
of topcret® S.l. any reproduction, digital or
printed, of this images is expressly forbidden.
topcret, Microcemento, Baxab® logos and all its
products are property of topcret® S.l.
the “Desire is topcret” slogan is property of
topcret® S.l.
